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France's defense chief: Wendie Renard ends in the Équipe
Photo: Mike Egerton / PA Images / IMAGO
A trio led by captain Wendie Renard announced their withdrawal from the French national team just under five months before the World Cup.
The Olympique Lyon star defender shared on social media that she "can no longer support the current system, which is far from the requirements required at the highest level".
Strikers Kadidiatou Diani, 27, and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, 24, joined shortly after.
The two players from Paris Saint-Germain also announced their resignation.
They demanded "necessary changes" in the management of the team in the social networks.
In France, one is currently “far away from the requirements of the highest level”.
Renard, Diani Katoto - the resignation of these three players means a massive sporting weakening of the French national team.
The 32-year-old Renard is considered one of the best defenders in the world.
Diani, who is good at dribbling, was on the offensive wing at last summer's European Championship.
And Katoto is considered a top-class centre-forward.
Apparently it's about the trainer
It was "a sad but necessary day to keep my mental health," said 142-time international Renard.
Under such conditions, she will not take part in the finals in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20), said the eight-time Champions League winner.
“Such conditions” – apparently Renard is referring to national coach Corinne Diacre, although she is not directly mentioned in the statement.
However, the relationship between the two is considered strained.
According to the French "RMC Sport", Renard no longer wants to appear under Diacre.
Diacre had taken the captain's armband from the 1.87 meter central defender in 2017, and in autumn 2021 the role was reversed.
At the European Championships last summer, captain and coach Diacre seemed to have concluded a truce.
The French made it to the semi-finals, where they were eliminated by Germany (1:2), who later became vice European champions.
France's women's national team is still waiting for its first major international title.
At the World Cup, the team meets Brazil, Jamaica and Panama in Group F.
mon/dpa/sid/Reuters